FLOWERING HOUSEPLANTS
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| Bromeliad |
Abutilon
Common Names: Flowering maple, Parlor maple, Chinese bellflower.
Description: Once among the most fashionable houseplants of the Victorian era, this member of the Hollyhock family has regained its popular status in recent years. The bushy plant features maple-shaped leaves and plenty of striking flowers resembling small hollyhocks.
Temperature: 70 degrees days; 60 degrees nights.
Light: Partial sun.
Water: During summer months, keep soil evenly moist.
Humidity: Normal level.
Pinching and Pruning: Groom often. Prune tips of branches.
Fertilizer: Once a month.
Soil Contents: Common indoor all-purpose mix.
Propagation: by Seeds.
Pests and Diseases: Mealy bugs, Scale, Spider Mites and White Flies.
Begonia
Common Name: Begonia.
Description: This is an extremely large and diverse group of plants. Some Begonias are enjoyed for their beautiful foliage, while others are loved for their vibrant flower.
Temperature: 65 degrees.
Light: Bright light.
Water: Allow top of the soil to dry out between watering.
Humidity: High level.
Pinching and Pruning: Pinch back new plants to prevent leggy growth.
Fertilizer: Every two weeks throughout the year.
Soil Contents: African violet mix.
Propagation: Seeds, stems, cuttings and division.
Pests and Diseases: Botrytis Grey Mold.
Bromeliad
Common Name: Bromeliad.
Description: An exotic beautiful group of plants whose thousands of species include the pineapple.
Temperature: 70 to 75 degrees.
Light: Partial sun or bright light.
Water: Allow the top of the soil to dry out between watering. Keep the cups of the epiphytics filled with water and change the water once a month.
Humidity: High level.
Pinching and Pruning: Remove yellow and brown leaves.
Fertilizer: Once a month.
Soil Contents: Epiphytic soil mix or one part clean, washed sand, one part fir bark, and one part sphagnum moss.
Propagation: Plant the “pups” or offset in light soil.
Pests and Diseases: Mealy bugs, Scale, and Root Rot.
Columnea
Common Name: Norse fire plant.
Description: A trailing plant with shiny, green purple leaves. Beautiful tubular flowers bloom in red, yellow, and orange colors.
Temperature: 70 degrees.
Light: Bright light.
Water: Keep soil moist.
Humidity: High level.
Pinching and Pruning: Prune branches and stems to encourage flowering.
Fertilizer: Fertilize every two weeks.
Soil Contents: African violet mix.
Propagation: Seeds and stem cuttings.
Pests and Diseases: Aphids and Leaf Miners.
Cyclamen
Common Names: Shooting star, Alpine violet.
Description: Marked by heart-shaped leaves and plenty of red, lavender, white and pink flowers.
Temperature: 60 degrees.
Light: Bright light.
Water: Keep soil very moist and mist the leaves often.
Humidity: Low level.
Pinching and Pruning: None needed.
Fertilizer: Every two weeks when blooming.
Soil Contents: African violet mix.
Propagation: Seeds and tubers. For tubers, wait until blooming period ends and place tuber in a cool location and let soil stay dry. During summer, replant it in a small container in a warmer location. Resume normal care when plant begins to grow.
Pests and Diseases: Rarely bothered.
Hippeastrum
Common Names: Amaryllis, Barbados lily.
Description: Known for their lovely, lily-like flowers which appear in shades of pink, salmon, scarlet and white among others. Strap-like leaves emerge after the flowers have blossomed.
Temperature: 70 degrees; 60 degrees when flowering begins.
Light: Shade; Partial sun when blooming.
Water: Very little water until bulb appears then keep soil moist.
Humidity: Normal level.
Pinching and Pruning: Do not pinch or prune until bulb reseeds.
Fertilizer: Every two weeks while blooming.
Soil Contents: Common indoor all-purpose mix.
Propagation: Remove and plant offset bulbs after flowering period is over. Try to divide the plant during this period.
Pests and Diseases: Rarely bothered.
Pelargonium
Common Name: Geranium.
Description: Easy to care for, year round houseplants which bloom in colors ranging throughout the reds, pinks, whites, and purples.
Temperature: 70 degrees days; 60 degrees nights.
Light: Direct sun.
Water: Allow the top of the soil to dry out between very thorough watering/drenchings.
Humidity: Low humidity level.
Pinching and Pruning: Pinch and prune when needed to keep the plants bushy. Always remove dead flowers and leaves immediately.
Fertilizer: Every two weeks with a fertilizer low in nitrogen content.
Soil Contents: Common indoor all-purpose mix.
Propagation: Seeds, stem cuttings can be rooted in vermiculite.
Pests and Diseases: Mealy bugs, Scale, Spider Mites and Powdery Mildew.
Saintpaulia
Common Name: African violet.
Description: The most popular flowering houseplant of modern times, the African violet is a stemless plant with velvety leaves and violet flowers.
Temperature: 75 degrees days; 65 degrees nights.
Light: Bright light in summer.
Water: Keep soil evenly moist and only water with lukewarm water. Never allow water to touch the leaves.
Humidity: High level.
Pinching and Pruning: Prune side shoots and always remove dead flowers and leaves immediately.
Fertilizer: Once a month.
Soil Contents: African violet mix.
Propagation: Leaf and stem cuttings, seeds.
Pests and Diseases: Crown Rot, Botrytis Grey Mold, Aphids, Scale.
Spathiphyullum
Common Names: Peace lily, White flag, Spathe flower.
Description: Long, oval leaves and usually just one or two pure, white sheaths covering flower stalks.
Temperature: 65 to 70 degrees.
Light: Filtered light or Shade.
Water: Keep the soil moist in summer. Allow the top of the soil to dry out in between watering.
Humidity: High level.
Pinching and Pruning: None needed.
Fertilizer: Once a month during growth period.
Soil Contents: Common indoor all-purpose mix.
Propagation: Division.
Pests and Diseases: Scale, Spider Mites. /MP
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